At a Glance:
Kitchen islands are one of the most popular design trends. They add additional counter space to kitchens while creating natural congregation points in the room. Islands also create flow. People can move in and out of the kitchen without crowding the chef.
However, these kitchen islands also come with complications. It’s difficult to install a stove on a kitchen island without a range hood above it to collect smoke. The last thing you want is to drive your dinner party guests outside because you don’t have proper ventilation.
There is good news for island-loving homeowners: you can install a range hood that is functional but also fashionable. Here are a few pros and cons of island range hoods as you search for ventilation solutions.
First, What is an Island Range Hood?
Before you can dive into the pros and cons of island range hoods, it helps to understand exactly what these appliances do and how they differ from standard options in your kitchen. Your range hood provides ventilation in your kitchen. It pulls smoke and other fumes caused by cooking out of your space while circulating clean air through your kitchen.
Ventilators are typically placed above ovens and stoves. If you burn something in the oven and a large plume of smoke comes out whenever you open the door, you will want a ventilator to catch this air pollution before it spreads throughout the house – and likely triggers your fire alarm.
Island range hoods are used above stoves that are built into kitchen islands. Instead of building your stove and hood against the wall or in-between cabinets, you can cook on your kitchen island and won’t have to worry about smoke. Island range hoods are typically installed on the ceiling directly above the stove.
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Range HoodsPro: You Have More Flexibility in Your Kitchen Design
One of the main benefits of considering island range hoods for your kitchen plan is the added flexibility. Homeowners increasingly look for features in their islands rather than focusing on style. For example, an island needs to provide storage, not just counter space. When you tour modern kitchens, you can find islands that have stoves, sinks, miniature refrigerators, and wine holders.
If you have plans to add an island to your home, make it work for you. With an island mount range hood, you can design a kitchen with a stove in the middle of the room. You can create a flow that works for your needs and your vision as a homeowner.
Con: Your Island Range Hood Will Be Bigger Than Your Stove
While island range hoods are incredibly flexible and come in a variety of sizes, you need to make sure you choose the right one to ensure proper kitchen ventilation. If your stove range hood is too small, smoke will flood your kitchen. If it is too big, then you will likely waste money, energy, and space. Fortunately, there is a process that you can follow to make sure you have enough hood power.
The main metric to consider when shopping for island range hoods is the Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). This measures the amount of air that is either removed from the kitchen or cleaned and recirculated by your range hood. To calculate your necessary CFM:
- Find the area of your kitchen (multiply the height, width, and length of the space.)
- Divide the area by four. This is the time – in minutes – a range hood should be able to filter the air in your kitchen.
With this information, you can find an island range hood that has the power you need. However, you may find that your island range hood extends farther than your stove in order to collect smoke as it rises into the air.
Electrolux 42" Stainless Steel Island Range Hood
Once you calculate the power you need for your space, you can start to shop for kitchen range hoods for your island. There are several that provide reliable functionality without sacrificing style and elegance. For example, the Electrolux 42" has a 211 minimum CFM airflow capacity and a maximum capacity of 412 CFM. This means you can use a lower setting if you need basic kitchen ventilation but can ramp up the island hood if you really need help clearing the air.
Along with other standard features like a responsive sensor that picks up on heat and advanced technology that provides quieter operation, there are additional add-ons that you can consider to make the island installation process easier. You can schedule an in-home site survey to determine whether the hood is right for your kitchen. You can also request installation and haul-away service if you are removing an older range hood. These are services offered by East Coast Appliance to create a better experience for our customers.
Pro: You Aren’t Restricted By Cabinet Space
There is one clear benefit of investing in a range hood for island design rather than a standard range hood: you have a lot more flexibility with space because you aren’t limited by various cabinets.
Walk space is usually tight in kitchens. Most interior designers try to build as many cabinets as possible to provide storage while leaving room for natural light through windows. If you are replacing a range hood in your home, you may be limited by the cabinets that are already built-in. This isn’t an issue for island hoods. You have the entire ceiling to install a hood, no matter its size. While there are some limitations (like light fixtures and vaulted areas), homeowners generally don’t have to worry about the size of the island range hoods they choose.
Con: Cabinets Won’t Help You Filter Air
While cabinets might seem like an unnecessary barrier to installing a range hood, they play a very real role in kitchen ventilation. Smoke rises and will try to spread out across a space. When it is blocked by a wall, the smoke looks for alternative areas to move it. As smoke rises against a traditional kitchen stove, it will bounce off the cabinets and move toward a more open area – typically right under the range hood.
An island hood doesn’t have cabinets serving as a buffer. This means your smoke can move into the center of the room if the range hood doesn’t catch it. To account for this lack of support, you may want to invest in a slightly larger range hood that can collect odors and smoke before you start coughing.
Pro: You Can Choose Ductless of Duct Island Range Hoods
Island range hoods are flexible, which means you can determine the level of infrastructure you want to invest in their installation. There are two types of hoods to consider: duct-based or ductless.
Ducts collect air and push them from one place to another. With your air conditioning, ducts push cool air from your cooling unit to different rooms in the house. With your stove, ducts collect smokey air and push it outside.
Island range hoods that connect to ductwork can be more powerful. They can collect smoke and immediately dispose of it, leaving you breathing cool, fresh air. However, ducts can be costly to install if you don’t already have the infrastructure. You may need to cut into your ceiling.
A ductless island range hood attaches to your ceiling. It will collect the smoke and filter the air, pushing it back into the room much cleaner than it was before. This is often the preferred option for easy installation. Consider the benefits of using either ducts or ductless options before you buy an island range hood.
East Coast Appliance has multiple island range hoods to choose from. Shop our selection today for your kitchen design needs.
Island Range Hood FAQ
How Does an Island Range Hood Work?
Ceiling-mounted or island range hoods create a pressure vacuum that pulls air into the appliance. When you cook, the island hood will pull in the hot air and smoke that you create. This will leave your kitchen with cool, fresh air that is more comfortable to cook in.
Are Island Range Hoods Effective?
Island range hoods are effective appliances. They remove grease, smoke, and other odors from your kitchen. This makes your kitchen air clean and fresh. However, you need to choose a reliable model and the right size kitchen island hood for your space.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Island Range Hoods at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop island range hoods online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you shop for island range hoods, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: 7 Range Hoods That Will Upgrade Your Kitchen